I began learning to play the piano when I was six years old, my mom taught me. She also taught many neighborhood kids and continues to teach her grandkids. I’m so thankful music has been a part of my life. I love playing the piano! As I grew older I added the trumpet, guitar, and French horn to my list of instruments I can play, but it all started with the piano. When my oldest child was six years old, I decided I wanted to teach him to play. Not long after that, I had friends approaching me asking if I’d teach their kids and I now have eleven students (counting my own three kids)! I have many piano teaching tips and things I’ve learned along the way, but this post will focus on my favorite piano books for beginners. The books you choose to teach from can make a huge difference in the enjoyment and willingness to practice for each kid. It’s very important you find good books that mesh well with your teaching style and your students enjoy! Here are some of my favorites!

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Faber Piano Adventures

Hands down, the Faber series has been my favorite! (get it, hands down? ha!) Their primer books are very simple and would work with 5-6 year olds. I actually had to skip some of it with my students because it progressed slower than they needed, but I still highly recommend it.

The majority of the songs have a simple teacher duet at the bottom which I love. Playing the duets really helps my students stay on beat and improve their counting.

My very favorite Faber book so far is the 2a and 2b Piano Adventures. Lots and lots of songs that boys and girls enjoy. Not quite as many teacher duets as the levels get harder, but still quite a few. The series teaches chords and how to play a melody with your right hand and add in the chords yourself with your left. I didn’t learn that until I was older and wish I would have learned that earlier. My students have really enjoyed supplementing with the performance book as well.

If you teach piano or your kids play and you haven’t tried this series then you’re missing out. I love it!